Arlington County Fair Returns For 47th Year Of Rides, Exhibits, Music

ARLINGTON, VA — The Arlington County Fair returns this week for five days of rides, exhibits, live music, food and beverage, and local vendors.

The fair, which runs from Aug. 16 to Aug. 20, opens with a formal ceremony and ribbon-cutting on Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the playground in front of the Thomas Jefferson Community Center at 3501 Second Street South. The public is invited to the opening ceremony.

The ceremony will be followed by a neighborhood recognition celebration in the fair's beer garden.

The Arlington County Fair, in its 47th year, typically attracts more than 125,000 visitors each year. The theme for this year's fair is “A Fair For All.”

Admission to the fair is free. Ride ticket prices are listed on the fair's website and can be purchased at the fair. All activities on the fair's Outdoor Stage and Kids’ Court are free of charge as well.

Among the highlights of this year’s fair are:

• The New District Brewing Company’s family-friendly beer garden features beer and wines, along with a Root Beer Float Fire Truck that both kids and adults can enjoy.
• The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ ArtMobile exhibit, “Revealing and Obscuring Identity: Portraits from the Permanent Collection.”
• A Night Market on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., where local makers will showcase their creations.
• Sensory-friendly hours will provide a calm and welcoming environment on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. These hours are dedicated to creating a space without lights or sounds, with the addition of Arlington County’s Therapeutic Recreation Office’s sensory tent for additional comfort and calming activities.
• The Indoor Vendor Showcase features over 75 local vendors within the Thomas Jefferson Gym.
• Punch Bowl Social introduces an indoor pop-up park, while partner Nova Systemic sponsors a hands-on STEM area catering to kids of all ages.
• Performances by Drew Blue Shoes and Rocknoceros and other local talent.
• Odyssey Events’ Axe Throwing.
• Pie-eating contest with Livin’ the Pie Life and the Arlington Jaycees.

Public parking at the fair is limited to patrons with valid ADA parking tags. Off-site parking is available at the Faith Lutheran Church at 3313 Arlington Blvd. The public can take the pedestrian bridge over Route 50 to get to the fairgrounds.

Public parking is also available at the Bozman Government Building Garage at 2100 Clarendon Blvd in Courthouse. The public can then take the free shuttle to get to the fair.

The shuttle stop will be located on the corner of Clarendon Blvd and N. Veitch St. Shuttles will operate a half hour before the fair opens to a half hour after it closes, and continuously throughout between the Bozman Government Center garage and the fairgrounds.

Parking is free in the garage located beneath the Bozman Government Center on weekends and after 5 p.m. on weekdays. The shuttles will be operated by ART Bus.